Caf Champions League

 Return leg, Saturday

 KCCA (0) v St George (0)

StarTimes Stadium, Lugogo

By Denis West

Exactly a year ago – March 18, 2017- KCCA were nine minutes away from becoming the first Ugandan side to make the Caf Champions League group stage.

Player inexperience, manager Mike Mutebi’s tinkering antics, Anthony Laffor’s fabulous 81st thunderbolt and Mamelodi Sundowns’ superiority connived to bring those wishes crumbling down like a pack of cards.

KCCA didn’t only miss out on the pride of ejecting the then reigning champions but also missed on at least $550,000(Shs1.9bn) that the bottom team in the lucrative group stages is entitled to.

This Saturday afternoon at Lugogo offers the Kasasiro boys a glorious  chance for atonement, especially after picking a seeming pleasing 0-0 away result against St George in Addis Ababa.

Though largely experienced after making the Caf Champions League group stages last season, St George, missing three players through injury, appear weaker than they have always been.

They are banking on Ugandan goalkeeper Robert Odongkara and midfielder Barbew Butako to edge out KCCA but like their third place slot in the Ethiopian league states – they are far from intimidating side they have always been.

KCCA have their work cut out – prevent the visitors from finding the back of the net at fortress Lugogo and go for that early goal.

The encouraging news is that apart from long time injury absentees Sadam Juma, Paul Musamali and Jackson Nunda, KCCA is enjoying a clean bill of health.

Yet we have seen some notable capitulations by Ugandan clubs when they have seemingly healthy advantages.

Back in 2003, SC Villa, under Micho Sredojevic, beat Angola’s AS Aviacao 2-1 away from home with goals from Vincent Tendwa and Alex Isabirye in the first leg of the first round only for the tables to turn at Namboole.

Aviacao scored through Helder Vicente and Arsenio Cabungula late in the game to progress. More lessons for KCCA to learn from can come from Express’ ejection in 1995 by South Africa’s Orlando Pirates when they allowed in a late Gavin Lane equalizer as they led 1-0 in Kampala.

Yes, KCCA has a chance of trying out their luck in the Caf Confederations Cup if their initial bid suddenly failed but the second tier tourney isn’t equally appetizing money wise.

There is a minimum of Shs1.9bn for making the Caf Champions’ League group stage. Then making the last eight should earn KCCA US$675,000 (Shs2.4bn).

There is an increment to $875,000 (Shs3.1bn) in the last four and US$2.25m (Shs8.1bn) while US$1.25m (Shs4.5bn) is set aside for losing finalists. It is now or never for KCCA who have a perfect home record to start with.

Probable KCCA starting line-up; Charles Lukwago (GK), Filbert Obenchan, Habib Kavuma, Timothy Awany (captain), Mustapha Kizza, Isaac Kirabira, Muzamir Mutyaba, Allan Okello, Paul Mucureezi, Derrick Nsibambi, Muhammad Shaban.

2018 CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

CASH PRIZES

Winner: $2.25m (Shs8.1bn)

Runners up: $1.25m (Shs4.5bn)

Semifinals: $875,000 (Shs3.1bn)

Quarterfinalist: $675,000 (Shs2.4bn)

Third in group: $550,000(Shs1.9bn)

Fourth in group: $550,000(Shs1.9bn)